News, commentary, and insights on adventures, and adventurers, from around the globe.

Monday, April 25, 2016

Video: Intova Duo Waterproof Action Camera

There is no question that GoPro is the market leader in terms of the action camera market. Their devices are used by thousands of people, ranging from professional filmmakers all the way down to weekend warriors hoping to catch a great shot of their own travel adventures. But those cameras can come with a large price tag, which makes them an expensive luxury for many people. But what if there was a more affordable option that offered solid performance at a price that would make more of an impulse purchase? That's exactly what the Intova Duo brings to the table, delivering some surprising features for a pice that is tough to beat.

Before we go too far, I'll say right of the bat that if you're expecting GoPro level of performance and video quality, this won't be the action cam for you. On the other hand, if you understand that you're getting a solid substitute for a fraction of the price, your expectations will be more in line with Intova's device.

So how much does the Duo cost exactly? It sells for just $49.95, which is considerably cheaper than even the lowest price camera from GoPro. For that price, you'll get a camera that can shoot 720p video footage and shoot 5 mega-pixels till photos as well. It has a battery life of about two hours, a 4x zoom, and it comes with a 1.77" LCD screen for accessing images, video footage, and settings.

As if that wasn't enough, the Duo also comes with a waterproof housing that keeps it safe down to 100 feet (30 meters). That same housing allows the camera to float, which certainly comes in handy when operating around water, when one accidental drop can mean the loss of the device. The camera is very easy to use, both above and below the water, and because the 720p video is fairly lightweight, it is easy to edit on just about any device, including a tablet or smartphone.

The Duo is small, measuring just 2.6 inches (6.7 cm) across and it weighs just 1.6 ounces (46g). That means it easy to toss in a pack and carry with you just about anywhere. It also makes it a great companion device for your other photography equipment, allowing you to capture video and still photographs with ease. And while I personally felt that the video quality of this camera was better than the still photos, the fact that it can take 5MP snaps was nice in a pinch.

Make no mistake, this isn't a camera that will replace a GoPro Hero 4 Black with professional filmmakers, but it is a camera that delivers plenty of quality video for those of us who don't need everything that the high end, $500 GoPro camera offers, or even the $200 Hero Session. The Duo is a great option for those who don't want to break the bank for an action cam, but do want to take something with them on their travels that can capture solid images and is rugged enough to survive in the outdoors.

If you've been looking for an affordable solution to shoot your outdoor adventures, the Intova Duo is a worth taking a look at, especially since it costs less than $50. It is a surprisingly fun camera to use, and I think a lot of people will be surprised at how well it performs for the price.